Four Manitobans find NHL homes in latest draft

Brek Liske figures it was meant to be.

“So my Dad was always a Flyers fan throughout his whole life, and he kind of brainwashed me into it,” the Beausejour product told reporters on Saturday — mere moments after Philadelphia had selected him in the second round, 53rd overall, of the NHL draft.

He learned of his selection while at the family cottage, surrounded by dozens of family members and friends, including many in Flyers jerseys.

Liske was one of four Manitobans to hear their name called over the weekend.

The first was Carson Carels, the dynamic defenceman from Cypress River who was picked sixth overall on Friday night by the Calgary Flames.

Next up was Liske, another blue-liner whose stock rose significantly with a tremendous WHL playoff run, which included helping guide his Everett Silvertips to the Memorial Cup where they finished runner-up to the Kitchener Rangers.

The 18-year-old had 24 points (7G, 17A) in 52 regular season games, then 17 points (4G, 13A) in 18 playoff games.

“I’d say it was just a kind of a confidence thing. I think I realized more who I was and what I could do, started believing in it, convincing myself I could do it, and eventually it worked,” said Liske.

He ticks off plenty of boxes for the modern-day defenceman: He’s got good size (6-2, 190) and great mobility and isn’t afraid to jump in the rush or even lead the attack. He was often paired this season with Landon DuPont, who many project as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 draft.

“I want to become a little bit more quick. I think I could get my foot speed up, just play a little faster,” he said of training this summer. “So that’ll be my focus, and that’s what I think will help me be better hockey player.

Liske also has plenty of provincial company with the Flyers. Elkorn’s Travis Sanheim is one of their top defencemen, while fellow prospects Matthew Gard (Winnipeg) and Carson Bjarnason (Carberry) are also in the system.

The next Buffalo Boy to get a call from NHL brass was Ste. Anne’s Zachary Lansard — the 68th-overall pick by the Carolina Hurricanes.

The 17-year-old former Rink Academy standout had a massive jump in production after posting just 19 points (7G, 12A) as a WHL rookie, with 56 points (24G, 32A) in 68 games with the Regina Pats last season.

That led to a spot on Team Canada for the U18 World Championship and certainly has him on an upward trend

Lansard — who lost his Mom to cancer last year — has been described by scouts as a consistently hard-working, high-effort player who has turned into an elite skater. He projects as a potential middle-six, strong two-way forward in the professional ranks.

Last, but not least, was Winnipegger Jonas Woo, who was chosen 185th by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Woo had a monster season in the WHL, leading all defencemen in scoring with 86 points (29G, 57A) in 56 regular season games and then another 17 points (8G, 9A) in 13 playoff games.

The 19-year-old was passed over during last year’s draft but was impossible to ignore this time around. His older brother, Jett, was picked by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the 2018 draft but has yet to make his NHL debut, spending his first six pro seasons at the AHL level.

Woo’s size — 5-9, 175 pounds — is obviously held against him and likely the reason he was a late-round pick. But we’ve seen a rise of smaller, mobile blue-liners make their mark in the big leagues as the game gets faster than ever.

He’s the type of player that is worth taking a gamble on. Woo has committed to Arizona State University starting this fall.

Seven Manitobans were selected a year ago, one shy of the all-time record of eight, set in 2017, 2018 and 2022. That strong showing came on the heels of a surprisingly lean 2024 draft, when just one local product was picked — and not until the fifth round.

www.winnipegfreepress.com/mikemcintyre